YYour guide to

South Africa

SSo you're excited about starting your South African adventure but you're not quite sure about how things work here. Luckily for you, you have this guide to help you out. Here you'll find everything you need to know about travelling to and around South Africa.

Quick facts about South Africa

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Population

South Africa is home to multi-cultural melting pot of 55 million beautiful people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions.

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Languages

Although English is widely spoken and is used for informational signage, South Africa celebrates diversity in language with a total of eleven official languages. These languages are Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga and English.

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Religions

Enshrined in the South African constitution is the right for all people to practice their religion free from persecution. The most practiced religions in South Africa include Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.

Money

Geography

Health

Facilities

Weather

Transport

Plan your trip

Entry requirements

If you’re a citizen of another country and want to travel to South Africa then you need a visa.

Travelling South Africa by road

When to visit

Since South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, it’s summer down here when it’s winter in Europe and North America. Summer begins in November and lasts till February, which if you think about it, makes this the ideal time to visit if you want to escape the cold weather.

Staying healthy in South Africa

Accommodation in South Africa

South Africa is well-known for its tourist attractions, not to mention its awesomely dynamic range of accommodation. It stretches from game lodges to five-star hotels, to friendly country houses, small hotels, B&Bs and camping sites – all kitted out with a range of catering options.

Getting around South Africa by air

There are over 70 international airlines now flying to South Africa. The award-winning South African Airways, the national carrier, flies to destinations all over the world and is connected to major international air routes, making it easier for you to enter the country from pretty much any corner of the world.

Getting around South Africa by bus

If you’re on a budget, travelling by bus is the cheapest way to travel the country. As a result it has become the go-to travelling option for the more economically-conscious locals. Be sure to book with a reputable service as not all bus companies have an equally good reputation.